"I've changed my mind," she moaned against my lips, her hands tearing at my shorts.
With a laugh, I wrapped my fingers around hers. "There’s no rush, Ruby. You know I'm here for the long haul. We can take it slow…"
She shook her head, cheeks flushed as she breathed heavier. "I can't. I need this tonight, Jake. I need everything. The hall was amazing, but it was a teaser—I want the full experience."
I was only so much of a good guy, and the timing had always been in her court. Justice knew what she wanted, and she could stop me at any point; that was the promise I made.
A few long, drugging kisses later, my mind was spinning, dick so fucking hard it actually hurt. When she slipped a hand down between us, under the band of my pants, and wrapped her silky fingers across my cock, I closed my eyes. I’d imagined her touching me like this so many times, and in truth, my imagination did not live up to the reality.
As she relaxed against me, her hand stroked me with confidence, I slid my fingers along the bare skin on her sides, caressing the soft flesh, trailing lower and lower. Just as I stroked across her arousal, there was a shattering roar from outside, and the house shook, throwing me off the bed. Using wind, I caught myself, and was on my feet in a heartbeat, searching for Justice.
With relief, I let out a breath to see her unharmed, half hanging off the other side of the bed.
"Do they have earthquakes here?" she burst out, her words rapid and frantic as she pulled herself to stand. She hurried to the window and I followed, both of us looking out to find unmarred darkness. Not a single sign of what had just caused that explosion of energy and sound.
“We need to get outside,” I said, over her shoulder. “It sounded like an attack, but I can’t see anything on this side of the land."
Justice’s face grew more drawn, eyes wide. "Shit, yes. My family could be in trouble… I'll get dressed."
She hurried off into her dressing room, and I made my way to the small pile of clothes and boots that had been dropped off before. Everything fit well, the material softer than what you'd find on Earth. Jeans and a simple black shirt. Socks and boots on last, and I was ready.
Justice returned dressed completely in black, form fitting and practical clothing that would be good for running and fighting.
"Let's go," I said, taking her hand. "Stay close to me."
She wrinkled her nose, lifting an eyebrow in my direction as she told me to pull my fucking head in without uttering a word. She was very good at the silent message.
"You're mine to protect," I reminded her. "End of story."
She stepped into me, wrapping one arm around me. "You're a bossy jerk, Jacob Compass. Just remember, if I'm yours, then you are mine. And I protect what’s mine."
"We stick together," I promised her. "Together we’re strongest."
Justice nodded, before she headed out of the room, pulling me along. Her desperation to find her family despite their fight earlier told me how much she loved them. We didn’t have to go far either. Jepati and Deloria were tearing down the halls toward Justice.
“Justice!" her mom cried, wrapping her arms around her, not even seeming to care that she half pulled me into the hug as well. "I was so scared. Are you okay?”
“Fine, Mom, the blast wasn’t that close to us.”
When Deloria finally let her daughter go, Jepati hugged her as well.
"What happened, Dad?" she asked. "Was it an explosion or quake? Did the jewels tell you anything?”
His lips thinned. "The jeweled lands don’t have quakes like Earth, but we can have some minor seismic activity from magical overload on the ley lines. This, though, felt like an explosion."
"It must be magic," Deloria said softly. "It's tingling down my spine."
I felt the energy too, but wisely kept my mouth shut. I doubted they wanted to hear from me.
"We need to check it out," Justice said. "It could be dangerous to our people. We must ensure their safety."
Her parents exchanged a quick glance. "We'd prefer you stayed in the castle," Deloria said. "It's safer."
Justice shook her head. "I love you guys, I really do, but you can't protect me from everything. And it's my duty to make sure our people are safe. I'm going."
Her father tried to argue again, and I couldn't help the low laugh that escaped.
They all looked at me. "Justice is stubborn as hell," I told them honestly, "and her sense of responsibility is huge. My preference would be that she stayed where it was safe, but I know from experience it’s best to just tag along and protect her stubborn ass."
